Low Back Pain
Almost everyone will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. This pain can vary from mild to severe. It can be short-lived or long-lasting. However it happens, low back pain can make many everyday activities difficult to do.
Understanding your spine and how it works can help you understand why you have low back pain.
Your spine is made up of small bones, called vertebrae, which are stacked on top of one another. Muscles, ligaments, nerves, and intervertebral disks are additional parts of your spine.
Vertebrae
Parts of the lumbar spine.
These bones connect to create a canal that protects the spinal cord. The spinal column is made up of three sections that create three natural curves in your back: the curves of the neck area (cervical), chest area (thoracic), and lower back (lumbar). The lower section of your spine (sacrum and coccyx) is made up of vertebrae that are fused together.
Five lumbar vertebrae connect the upper spine to the pelvis.Spinal Cord and Nerves
These "electrical cables" travel through the spinal canal carrying messages between your brain and muscles. Nerves branch out from the spinal cord through openings in the vertebrae.
Muscles and Ligaments
These provide support and stability for your spine and upper body. Strong ligaments connect your vertebrae and help keep the spinal column in position.
Facet Joints
Between vertebrae are small joints that help your spine move.
Intervertebral Disks
Intervertebral disks sit in between the vertebrae.
When you walk or run, the disks act as shock absorbers and prevent the vertebrae from bumping against one another. They work with your facet joints to help your spine move, twist, and bend.Intervertebral disks are flat and round, and about a half inch thick. They are made up of two components.
Annulus fibrosus. This is the tough, flexible outer ring of the disk. It helps connect to the vertebrae.
Nucleus pulposus. This is the soft, jelly-like center of the annulus fibrosus. It gives the disk its shock-absorbing capabilities.